Cap for fire-plugs



Dec.` 22,. 1931. w. MODRA CAP FOR FIRE PLUGS Filed DeC. 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1931; w. MODRA. 1,837,880

CAP FOR FIRE PLUGS Filed Dec. 19, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N V6 NTO@ W/z, L mM Mappa Patented Dee. 22, 1931 arras WILLIAM MODRA, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI cnr non rrnnfrnnas Application led December 19, 1930. Serial No. 503,444.

My invention has relation to improvements in caps for lire-plugs, or similar hydrants, and it consists in the novel features of construction more fully set forth in the specifica.- tion and pointed out in the claims.

The invention is more particularly directed to a cap embodying a locking mechanism that when set to locking position, prevents the removal of the cap until the lock thereof is first released, so that the cap may not be removed by street ureains and other meddlers.

rEhe present device is an improvement over my copending applications Serial Nos. 9&,549 and 500,883, filed November 10, 1930 and. Eecember 8, 1930 respectively, in that the cap is made in sections, each being permanently secured to the plug, and that the locking mechanism is greatly simplified so as to reduce the cost of construction.

rEhe principal object of the invention is therefore the provision of acap permanently lined to the plug and readily movable to uncover the threaded nozzle thereof for connection with the hose leading to the pumping engine. lt is a further object to provide the articulati cap sections with a suitable lock operable only by the application of a special wrench or key to guard it against tampering. .Tt is also the object to provide a fireplng cap having the properties mentioned that is positive in its action, simple in its construction, and that may be manufactured at a comparative low cost.

Further and other advantages will be better apparent from a detailed description of the invention in connection with the accom panying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a. front elevation of a fire-plug equipped with my improved nozzle cap; Fig. zJ is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a crosssectional detail taken on the line 3-3 of Fi U. 1 with part of the plug broken away; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken on the iin-e 4-4 of Fig. l with part of the plug broken away; Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional detail taken through the plug nozzle on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a crosssectional detail taken on the line 6 6 of Fi 0. Il; 7 is an enlarged front elevation of the middle portion of the plug showing the nozzle covered by one. cap section, the other cap section vhaving been opened; Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified form of retaining lugs for the locking bolt; Fig.` 9 is a cross-sectional detail taken on the line 9%-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of that portion of the plug carrying the nozzle showing a band clamped thereon whereby my impr ved cap is applicable to old plugs now in use; 11 is a front elevation ofsaid band; and Fig. 12 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified vform of locking bolt.

` Referring to the drawings P represents a fire-plug of conventional design having its outlet nozzle, or spout S covered by my improved closure cap comprising semi-circular articulating` sections 1, 1. The functionr of the cap sections is to encase the threaded flange t of the nozzle S and protect the threads thereof against injury so that no difficulty may be encountered when it is necessary to attach the hose of the pumping engine to said threaded flange. rEhe sections 1, 1 are similar in shape and are respectively hinged to'oppositely disposed lugs 2, 2 by means of hinge brackets 3, 3". The sec-tion 1 has a boss l projecting from it in which there is an axially disposed opening 5 to serve as a. bearing for a shaft 6 having a ta aering polygonal hea-d 7 at its outer end, and a re duced polygonal extremity 8 at its inner end, the extremity 8 carrying a cross bar, or latch, 9 held aga-inst the shoulder 10 at the base of the extremity 8 by means of a coiled spring 11 conlined between said cross bar and a washer 12 screwed into the end of the ein treinity 8 by means of a cap screw 13. In order to insure the proper articulation of the cap sections 1 and 1, the edge lll of section 1 is provided with triangular lugs 15, 15 which are adapted to enter correspondingly shaped recesses 16, 16 in the edge 1'? of cap section 1. vThe edge 17 of section 1 has a notch 18 at the center to accommodate the shaft 6 and is slightly recessed as shown at 19, 19 to 'provide clearance for the latch 9 when the sections 1, 1 are brought into articulating relation to close the cap. On the inner surfaces 20, 20 of sections 1, 1 detents 2l, 2l and 22, 22 are provided for the latch 9, said detents 21, 2l and 22, 22 being arcuate in shape and spaced apart as shown at s, s', and inclined upwardly toward the respective spaces so as to provide abutments for the ends of the latch 9 and hold said latch firmly in its locking position, which is transversely of the articulating edges of sections l, l. This is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. rllhe tension of the spring 1l is such that it is im possible to dislodge the latch 9 fromv confinement of the detents 2l, 2l and 22, 22, except by the application of a specially shaped wrench, or key, to the polygonal head 7. As shown in F ig. 3, an overlapping flange /f is provided on section l for effecting a more secure engagement of the sections and better closure.

In Figs. S and 9 I show a modified form of detent for holding the latch 9. Instead of the inclined arcuate detent oiq the main 'orin, I may employ a pair oi' conical knobs 23, 23 on section l and 23, 23 on section l.

In applying` my improved cap to old fireplugs now in use which are not equipped with lugs 2, 2, I employ a Yband 24 p disposed around the nozzle S of the plug, said band being shaped to follow the intersecting line 25 of the nozzle with the plug, and having hinge lugs 23 riveted to it at oppositely disposed points. The opening 27 between the ends oi' the band is held in closed position by means of a bolt 28 traversing iianges 29, 29v on the ends or" the bands, and a nut 30 screwed over said bolt. In some cases the spout S may taper slightly so that the band2ll would not remain permanently in place on the spout. When this condition is encountered, I provide a band that will entirely envelop the body of the fire-plug.

In Fig. l2 I show a modiiication of the locking mechanism for the cap sections which comprises a pair of keepers 3l, 3l disposed on opposite sides of the stem 8. Latches 32 lined on the ends of stems 33, 33 are adapted to enter the keepers 31, 3l and the stems 33, 33 project from a cross-member 31k, which is adapted to be engaged by a cam 35 mounted on the stem 3. Sp 1ings 35 are disposed on the stems 33 to urge the latches 32 out of their housings 37, 37. l/Vhen a wrench is applied to the polygonal extremity 7 and the extremity 8 rotated thereby, the cam 35 will engage the bar and force the latches 32 out of the keepers 3l so that the cap sections l, lmay be opened. On removing the pressure of the wrench, the springs 36 will force the latches 32 outwardly so that theyv will be in position to snap into the keepers 3l, 3l when the caps l, l are brought together.

Having described my invention I claim:

l. In combination with ay hydrant having a discharge nozzle, a closure `cap for said nozzle, said cap comprising sections hinged toV the .nozzle in opposed relation and adapted to be moved into articulating relation to enclose the nozzle, and means within the sections for locking them together, said locking means comprising a latch rotatably mounted in one of the sections and suitable detents for engaging said latch.

2. In combination with a hydrant having a discharge nozzle, a closure cap for said nozzle, said cap comprising sections hinged to the nozzle in opposed relation and adapted to be moved into articulating relation to enclose the nozzle, means within the sections for locking them together. said locking means comprising a latch rotatably mounted in one of the sections and suitable detents for engaging said latch, and key` operated means associated-with the latch for actua-ting said latch.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aEX my signature.

IVILLIAM MODRA. 

